Electrical plug-and-socket-connector, especially for communications engineering applications

ABSTRACT

An electrical plug-and-socket connector, especially for communications engineering applications, has a resilient plug section and a socket section. These sections comprise a one-piece shell-shaped metallic body, the open sides of whose two halves face one another and are connected on the side of the plug section facing away from the socket section. The point of connection of the two halves is designed in the form of a hollow sphere. The cross section of the plug section is generally elliptical and the cross section of the socket section is circular.

tlnited States] Patent [191 Mm I I Dec. 3, i974 1 1 ELECTRICAL PLUG-AND-SOCKET-CONNECTOR, ESPECIALLY FOR COMMUNICATIONS ENGINEERING APPLICATIONS [76] Inventor: Edwin Muz, D 7519 Muhlbach Uhlandstrasse 8, Germany [22] Filed: July 24, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 382,060

[52] US. Cl. 339/252 P, 339/256 R [51] Int. Cl H011 11/22 [58] Field of Search 339/252 R, 252 T, 252 P,

339/256 R, 256 T, 258 R [56] References Cited 7 UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,517,677 8/1950 Kuell-Berger et al 339/213 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Germany 339/252 Netherlands 339/252 P Netherlands 339/252 P Germany 339/252 P Primary ExaminerPaul R. Gilliam Assistant Examiner-Robert A. Hafer Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Roylance, Abrams, Berdo & Kaul 57 ABSTRACT An electrical plug-and-socket connector, especially for communications engineering applications, has a resilient plug section and a socket section. These sections comprise a one-piece shell-shaped metallic body, the open sides of whose two halves face one another and are connected on the side of the plug section facing away from thesocket section. The point of connection of the two halves is designed in the form of a hollow sphere. The cross section of the plug section is generally elliptical and the cross section of the socket section is circular.

4 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures ELECTRICAL PLUG-AND-SOCKET-CONNECTOR, ESPECIALLY FOR COMMUNICATIONS ENGINEERING APPLICATIONS The present invention relates to an electrical plugand-socket connector, especially for communications engineering applications, with a resilient plug section and a socket section.

In a known plug-and-socket connector, the socket section is designed as a turned part and the plug section is designed as either a bunch of a plurality of resilient wires or as a so-called banana plug with leaf springs. The individual sections of plugs of this type must be fabricated in various steps and then connected one with the other so as to be both electrically conductive and mechanically stable. The length and diameter of the plug-and-socket connector are significantly increased due to the required point of connection. The method of fabrication is extremely complicated and expensive.

depth of the plug section of one plug-and-socket connector in the socket section of another plug-and-socket connector is not limited. Moreover,'it is not possible to provide small grooves or beads on the circumference of in which an electrical plug-and-socket connector for communications engineering applications is schematically illustrated as a practical example of the subject the sheet metal component for anchoring it in an insuf lating section or similar component with simple means.

The object of the present invention is an electrical plug-and-socket connector which can be fabricated in a simple manner with minimum dimensions, which has good mechanical and electrical properties, light weight, and good centering possibilities in its socket. According to the invention, this object is solved in that the plug section and the socket section comprise a one-piece,

. shell-shaped, metallic body, the open sides of whose two halves face one another and are connected on the side of the plug section facing away from the socket section. A plug-and-socket connector of this type is simple to fabricate and displays a great degree of stability as a result of the closed tip. Due to its simplicity and the fact that it comprises only one piece, this plug-andsocket connector can also be fabricated with very small dimensions. A plurality of plug-and-socket connectors can be connected axially one behind the other.

The resiliency of the connection between the socket section and the plug section is achieved especially in that the cross section of the plug section is generally elliptical and the cross section of the socket section is circular. Measured to the outer surface, the large semiaxis of the elliptical cross sectionof the plug section is preferably greater, and the small semi-axis smaller, than the inside diameter of the receiving socket section.

In a further development, a lug is provided on the edge defining thelongitudinal slot in the socket section for attachment of a lead orsimilar means. A lead can be fastened, especially soldered, to the lug.

The above discussed and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparentfrom the following description thereof, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings matter of the invention and in which FIG. I shows a side view;

FIGS. 2 and 3 each show a cross section along Lines Il-ll and Ill--lll respectively in FIG. 1.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a plugand-socket connector 1 designed in one piece and comprising cold-hammered, thin sheet metal. It is fabricated on one single machine by being stamped out of a blank, by pressing a half shell out of the stamped oblong piece of sheet metal, and by drawing a spherical surface 2 approximately in the center of the half shells, arranged at a distance one from the other with their open sides facing one another, whereby the open sides of the two halves of the half shells are closed until they are arranged only a slight distance one from the other, forming a type of sleeve. The spherical surface 2 is followed by the plug section 3, which in turn is followed by an impressed or indented annular groove 4 and a socket section 5. Provided on the edge defining the longitudinal slot 6 are retaining lugs 7 and 8, which serve as soldering tags for soldering on unillustrated leads. An annular groove, especially annular groove 4, a recess, an annular bead or similar means can be provided for producing an engagement connection with an unillustrated handle, which can be pushed onto socket section 5.

Asa result of the two longitudinal slots 6 extending from the head 2 to the opposite end of the socket 5, plug section 3 and socket section 5 are radially resilient. As shown in FIG. 2, the cross section of plug section 3 is generally ellipse-shaped, whereby, measured to the outer surface, the large axis of the ellipse corresponds to the sum of the inside diameter of socket section 5 and twice its fabrication tolerance, and the small axis of the ellipse corresponds to the difference between the inside diameter of the socket section and four times the tolerance of socket section 5. The outer circumference of plug section 3 thus corresponds to the inner circumference of socket section Sat its lower tolerance limit. Since the large semi-axis of the elliptical cross section is greater than the inside diameter of socket section 5 while the small semi-axis of this cross section is smaller, the entire length of the plug section 3 inserted in a socket section 5 is in a resiliently supporting relationship against cylindrical socket section 5. The ellipse-shaped cross section of plug section 3 is deformed if inserted in the socket section 5 of another plug-and-socket connector 1, as the large semi-axis of plug section 3 is greater than the greatest radius of socket section 5.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It should therefore be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practised otherwise than as specifically described.

Having thus disclosed my invention, what I claim is:

1. An improved electrical connector, especially for I communication equipment, comprising said plug portion having a tip in the shape of a hollow hemisphere, and

substantially identical semicylindrical halves opening toward each other and extending between said tip and said intermediate portion;

said identical halves terminating in longitudinally extending parallel edges defining longitudinal slits aligned with the slits in said socket portion,

said halves each being elliptical in cross section,

the major axis of the ellipse formed by said halves being larger, and the minor axis thereof being smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical volume defined by the halves of said socket portion.

2. A connector according to claim 1 wherein said intermediate portion comprises an indented annular recess.

3. A connector according to claim 1 wherein the major axis of the ellipse corresponds to the sum of the diameter and twice the tolerance of the inner diameter of the socket section and the minor axis of the ellipse corresponds to the difference between the diameter and four times the tolerance of the inner diameter of the socket section.

4. A connector according to claim 1 wherein a lug is provided on at least one defining edge of the longitudinal slit in the socket section for attachment of an electrical conductor. 

1. An improved electrical connector, especially for communication equipment, comprising a substantially tubular body having a resiliently yielding plug portion at one end of the body, a socket portion at the other end of said body, and an intermediate portion connecting the two; said body being formed from a single piece of metallic sheet material; said socket portion having substantially identical semicylindrical halves opening toward each other and Extending from said intermediate portion to an open end, said halves being circular in cross section and, together, defining a cylindrical volume, said halves terminating in longitudinally extending parallel edges defining two longitudinal slits; and said plug portion having a tip in the shape of a hollow hemisphere, and substantially identical semicylindrical halves opening toward each other and extending between said tip and said intermediate portion; said identical halves terminating in longitudinally extending parallel edges defining longitudinal slits aligned with the slits in said socket portion, said halves each being elliptical in cross section, the major axis of the ellipse formed by said halves being larger, and the minor axis thereof being smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical volume defined by the halves of said socket portion.
 2. A connector according to claim 1 wherein said intermediate portion comprises an indented annular recess.
 3. A connector according to claim 1 wherein the major axis of the ellipse corresponds to the sum of the diameter and twice the tolerance of the inner diameter of the socket section and the minor axis of the ellipse corresponds to the difference between the diameter and four times the tolerance of the inner diameter of the socket section.
 4. A connector according to claim 1 wherein a lug is provided on at least one defining edge of the longitudinal slit in the socket section for attachment of an electrical conductor. 